re: clumsy horse/EPSM
This message is from: Gina Larson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jean-- Thank you for the info on ESPM...I will print it and gently give it to my friend. Regardless, I think the horse needs a complete veterinary exam. I couldn't believe how much the article you posted sounded like her horse. At one point this spring, the filly's muscles seemed to atrophy overnight, primarily in her gluteal and thigh areas. She treated her with Panacur at the suggestion of a local 4-H trainer that was visiting her barn, and she did seem to improve. At the time I also suggested she give her a shot of Red Cell at her feedings because she seemed to be so lethargic to me. When I watched her lunge her I noticed the strange gait as well, I thought she almost looked gaited, like a foxtrotter or something, but pony gaited seems to fit this as well. This information is very helpful as I was not making progress finding info on the net (I was also looking into EPM as that was my first thought, but I haven't observed the spasms it describes). The filly is now 3, and yes, I DO agree that she is to young for being ridden (they started her under saddle at two) I know the spine especially is still developing at the time, and both my friend and her boyfriend are heavy riders. I will keep you updated! Thanks, Gina Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: clumsy horse
This message is from: kay konove [EMAIL PROTECTED] I read this post with great interest, as I came to the computer today to write about my four old Fjord mare. She is a fabulous trail horse, very calm. She was backed last summer as a three year old and I intend to pursue training her to drive. However, she is displaying troubling behavior under saddle (once also when ridden bareback). Twice at a clinic and at a show, when she was just standing still, she dropped to her knees to roll. She lowered her head the first time, seemingly to stretch, then she dropped. At the show, there was no warning at all. The rider was not hurt, just frustrated. The mare's movement is excellent. I've been told that she is avoiding what she is being asked to do. Am I overly concerned that it might be neurological? Thanks in advance for the feedback. Kay Brimfield, MA
Re: clumsy horse question
This message is from: Jean Ernest [EMAIL PROTECTED] Another possibility is a muscle disease, Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (EPSM not to be confused with EPM) Common in draft breeds, it often also occurs in many other breeds. From Dr. Beth Valentine's description on the Rural Heritage website:http://www.ruralheritage.com/vet_clinic/index.htm EPSM is a muscle disease of draft horses that can cause symptoms like tying up, stiff gaits, and overall poor performance. The root of the problem is the inability of these horses to properly break down the glycogen (animal starch) in their muscles. The result is an excess of glycogen, leading to muscular cramping and weakness. EPSM horses are physically unable to generate a proper canter and they have abnormal muscle wasting, leaving many horse owners and their veterinarians frustrated as they search for cause and treatment. Atrophy of rump muscles and proximal thigh, as well as rear-limb weakness, caused by EPSM may be mistaken for spinal-cord disease due to EPM. Even the western-blot testing on cerebrospinal fluid is not an accurate test when a horse shows equivocal signs of neurologic disease. EPSM horses may be weak and stiff in the rear limbs, but they know where their feet are, and can place them properly when spun in tight circles. The short, stiff, stabbing gait of EPSM horses, often described as pony-gaited, is sometimes assumed to be the horse's normal way of moving. In poor-moving EPSM horses, however, the gait cannot be attributed to any serious conformation problems. EPSM horses often have poor hock flexion at the walk and while backing, and may have difficulty holding their hind feet up for the farrier. Careful examination of the hocks (flexion tests, x-rays, ultrasound, and joint blocks) help differentiate joint disease from muscle disease/EPSM. The stiffness is often mistaken for arthritis due to aging, especially in older draft horses. Some EPSM horses show low-level anemia, lack of energy, and poor performance that may be blamed on anemia. Although treatments directed at correcting anemia may still be indicated, anemia in EPSM horses often resolves following EPSM-recommended diet change. Behavioral Problems/Back Soreness EPSM horses may be grumpy under saddle and may resent being asked to canter, to carry themselves in a forward manner, or to go up or down hills. Some horses with EPSM repeatedly stop and assume the parked-out stance of a horse about to urinate. This may be mistaken for back soreness, poor saddle fitting, or behavior problems. Since EPSM most severely affects the power muscles of the back, rump, and thigh it is not surprising that these horses may be uncomfortable using these muscles. EPSM horses often have difficulty standing on three legs for the farrier, especially when asked to hold up a hind limb. Tying Up The exact causes of tying up (known in draft horses as Monday morning disease) have yet to be determined, and horses do tie up for reasons unrelated to EPSM. To date, however, examination of muscle biopsies from horses that have tied up, and of diet change in affected horses, indicate that EPSM may be a more common cause of tying up than was previously thought. We have not yet seen a muscle biopsy from a horse that was brought to us for difficult-to-treat tying up that did not show evidence of EPSM. Any horse that ties up—even if it occurs while an unconditioned horse is being conditioned—should be suspected of having an underlying metabolic problem. EPSM horses may also have decreased blood levels of selenium, but these horses still can have problems, even when selenium levels are corrected. Some EPSM horses have had persistently low selenium levels, even when supplemented at high levels or being given injections. This is not surprising, as selenium needs are greatly increased with exercise or any muscular damage. Selenium levels generally return to normal following diet change for EPSM. Diet change is the treatment for EPSM: Dr. Beth Valentine: Overhauling your horse's diet is the first line of treatment against EPSM. The goal of the EPSM diet is to decrease soluble dietary carbohydrates (grain) and increase fat. You want to provide 20% to 25% of total daily calories from fat. More details are in the following article. http://www.ruralheritage.com/vet_clinic/epsmdiet1.htm Finally..How old is this horse now? 2 years is too young to be ridden, the horse could be still growing, etc. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, leaves are all gold, but it is raining I'm wondering about EPM (Equine Protozoa Myelitis). I don't know if you have it up there (Minnesota). We do here. Whatever this is, it sounds neurological and possibly progressive.
Re: clumsy horse question
This message is from: Vanessa N Weber [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm wondering about EPM (Equine Protozoa Myelitis). I don't know if you have it up there (Minnesota). We do here. Whatever this is, it sounds neurological and possibly progressive. Vanessa Weber ---Original Message--- From: Gina Larson Date: 09/09/05 21:10:36 To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: clumsy horse question This message is from: Gina Larson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello All-- I'm looking for some insight into a situation with a friend's horse. A year ago a friend of mine, new to horses, purchased a 2 year old grade paint filly. From the first time I saw this horse, I thought she seemed abnormally lethargic. My friend and her boyfriend attributed this to an extremely mellow personality. The horse is also clumsy, often tripping and stumbling over her own front feet. On one or two occasions I've actually seen her fall onto her knees while carrying a rider. My friends attributed this to her young age and lack of muscle development. Yesterday I went out to visit my friend and her horse at the farm where she boards. She was standing beside her horse exasperated, saying that she was being very sassy when she tried to ride her (ie resisting her aids, refusing to halt, and in general being beligerent) I watched her when she got back on, and observed a horse that seemed to be incredibly tense and stiff, if not in pain, and seeming to be having a difficult time carrying her rider's weight (my friend IS a heavy girl!). To reprimand her horse for being bad she decided to lunge her, or in her words make her run. As I watched her lunge there were at leaast 3 or 4 times at the canter when I observed her horse knuckling over on her near hind and actually falling onto her haunches! My friend did not think this was abnormal!! (I'm sure she's seen it happen before). I, on the other hand was quite alarmed! I haven't discussed it with her as she and I have rather different philosophies on training and horsekeeping and she seems to be quite sensitive to what she perceives as criticism of her or her horses. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this strange behavior in her horse? I know she is current on vacs, worming and farrier. She was purchased from a local horse dealer who got her for next to nothing at an auction so they don't know much about her first 2 years. Could it be that she really is just lazy and/or uncoordinated? I am worried about this filly, as she just doesn't seem right, my friend doesn't seem to think there is a problem! I don't want either of them to get hurt. Thoughts appreciated! Thank you! Gina Larson Marinette, WI Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
